First timer to China: where to visit?

[rarenick]

Am thinking more of scenery sightseeing trip rather than shopping trip.

1 couple adults around 40yrs old + 60yrs old auntie.

Kindly recommend places, best season/time to visit and travel agents.

Thanks.

 

[dilphinus]

There is no so call best season or time.

What kind of scenery? Can they walk? Direct flights or transit flights or trains are ok?

In winter, can go to Jilin for the ice-rimmed trees, Harbin for the Ice Festival.

There are direct and more flights to Beijing and Shanghai. If they like history and cultural stuff, Beijing is a good option. Most attractions are near/walking distance from the metros (with the exception of the Great Walls and Ming Tombs).

Lijiang is nice too. Pingyao too. Mianshan is accessible from Pingyao. The Qiao Family Compound is accessible from Pingyao or Taiyuan.

There's the terracotta warriors in Xi'an. There're gardens in Suzhou. There's the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Lijiang. You can go to the Grasslands from Hohhot. Datong has the Hanging Monastery. There's the Zhangye Danxia in Zhangye. Plenty to do and see in China.

 

[johnsonheng]

Am thinking more of scenery sightseeing trip rather than shopping trip.

1 couple adults around 40yrs old + 60yrs old auntie.

Kindly recommend places, best season/time to visit and travel agents.

Thanks.

for old people, go LiliaNg....

 

[Hisashiburi]

Best time would probably be around Oct/Nov I feel.
Leaves are changing colour and it isnt too hot/cold.

Spring time around April is nice too but run the risk of sandstorms in north China.
South/east is ok though.

Summer time is too hot.

Dont know about travel agents as I go free n easy.

Places for a first timer would be the bigger cities like Beijing. Maybe Shanghai but Shanghai has less cultural sights.
Xian is close to Beijing too if u decide to go there.

Am thinking more of scenery sightseeing trip rather than shopping trip.

1 couple adults around 40yrs old + 60yrs old auntie.

Kindly recommend places, best season/time to visit and travel agents.

Thanks.

 

[rarenick]

Couple can walk. 60+ cannot climb much stairs.

Targeting package tour within $1000 before airport taxes.

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[beanstalk6]

Couple can walk. 60+ cannot climb much stairs.

Targeting package tour within $1000 before airport taxes.

Sent from Xiaomi MI 4I using GAGT

Many old folks have this lifelong wish to see the palace and the Great Wall. I suggest a guided tour that has Beijing.

 

[johnsonheng]

go lijiang, not that cold also.
and have play for a few days.

bejing nothing much to see. other than great wall.

 

[dilphinus]

For the Great Walls, can take the cable car up and walk down. If too tired, can take the cable car down too.

Beijing no need package. Can do free and easy. Just stay in a hotel within walking distance to the metro.

There's the hutongs, Temple of Heaven, Yonghe Temple, Forbidden Palace, Summer Palace, Frangant Hill, Tiananmen, Prince Gong's Mansion, etc.

 

[dilphinus]

If going to Lijiang, can also go to Dali, by bus 3.5 hours.

Lijiang, stay in the old town. There's the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Pingyao has the Zhangbi Castle. There's underground tunnels. Mianshan is accessible from Pingyao too. Can also visit the Qiao Family Compound. It was used as the setting for the movie Raise the Red Lantern.

If old folks like gardens, can base yourself in Shanghai and do a day trip to Suzhou. There's a tourist bus in Suzhou that runs the tourist attractions route. For Shanghai, the Bund, Yu Gardens, French Concession is sufficient for older folks for a simple and easy 4-6 days trip.

 

[Steyr69]

If want to see Great Wall....going to Beijing is the only way?

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[johnsonheng]

not really, it connects to other city as well,but well i not sure

 

[genie47]

If want to see Great Wall....going to Beijing is the only way?

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Beijing is best city if the Great Wall is in your itinerary.

No need 1 week. Beijing with Great Wall can be finished in 3 days.

Day 1: Palace Museum which includes the Forbidden City.
Day 2: Visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Can take a bus there.
Day 3: Visit Beihaigongyuan in the morning and then then move over to Jinshangongyuan, climb up and see the whole Forbidden City from there.

Fin!

 

[dilphinus]

If want to see Great Wall....going to Beijing is the only way?

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No.

You can access different parts of the Great Wall from Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Beijing, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Ningxia Autonomous Region to Gansu in the west.

 

[bin8lee]

Great Wall, Great Canal and Great Ancient Capitals (Beijing, Nanjing, Luoyang, and Xi'an).